How Customised is Your CV?

Every graduate job you apply to should have its very own customised CV that pin-points the job requirements for that role. When swept up in a wave of sending multiple frantic applications, so many candidates fall short on this and it really shows. Make sure you’re delivering quality, not quantity. One good technique is to read over the job specification several times, create a list of five or so key qualities they look for and then go about re-arranging the content of your CV to cover/highlight them. Talk more in-depth on the important areas and less on the irrelevant ones to save space, making new sections or even bolding some key words if needed. Use the same terminology as the job specification and do some internet research to brush up on any areas you don’t understand – the last thing you want is to get caught out talking the talk but not walking the walk! As time passes you will soon have a customised CV for most job requirements that only needs minor tweaking, saving you a lot of time. Make sure you re-name them so you don’t get confused and definitely re-name again to a generic name before you send.

You’ve Been Googled – What Employers Don’t Want To See On Your Online Profile.

Conducting an online search, more commonly known as ‘Googling’ a potential employee, has now become a common practice among interviewers - like it or not. Making sure that your online profile reflects a genuine, honest and positive portrayal of yourself is very important so before attending an interview you should check your online profile and moderate anything which could act as a repellent. Google your name and see what comes up. An impressive online profile should show attributes such as positive hobbies, strong business networks and community involvement. Look over any photos that can be publically accessed (like profile pictures) bearing in mind that these will paint a picture of your character. No employer will be too impressed to find their candidate tagged in photos showing disorderly behaviour. Photos of wild nights out, revealing clothing, engagement in unsociable activity or immature/controversial comments could put you on the spot or even cost you the interview for your dream graduate job.

What Not To Put On A CV

When applying for graduate jobs, your CV should be a positive reflection on the time, effort and dedication invested into acquiring the relevant skills for the job. Including certain things in your CV can overshadow these valuable and hard-earned skills and create an instant unsuitable profile. Relevance is a key element here, therefore any experience or personal attributes that would be deemed irrelevant for the job should be carefully considered and extremely brief or ideally, excluded. This also applies when listing qualifications. Be economical with the space you have; give priority to the highest level (a-levels and above), and if listing GCSE’s or equivalents, abstain from listing each subject and grade individually. Avoid listing generic hobbies such as reading/going to the cinema as these are over used and fail to show originality. Try to use hobbies relevant to the job and/or convey dedication and integrity. Another detail to consider is your address. If you are applying to a role that’s far away, even with the intent to re-locate, it’s sometimes best to keep your current location anonymous until you have had a chance to impress. A CV showing an address at a considerable distance from the workplace could disconcert an employer.

And lastly no silly email addresses!

Graduate Interviews - The Big Question

It is standard interview practice for an interviewer to end with ‘have you got any questions’, which to some people, seems to activate inevitable ‘freeze’ mode!  Even if you feel that you have covered the job spec in full and discussed any concerns, it is crucial that you ask a few questions when prompted to do so. This shows interest, enthusiasm and preparation, all being highly desirable qualities in a potential employee.  Failure to ask any questions at the end of an interview instantly conveys a lack of interest and willingness to engage and learn about your potential employer, substantially diminishing your chances of getting the job.  Not asking any questions will inevitably overshadow any part of the interview in which you excelled and exceeded your interviewer’s expectations.  It is also vital to remember that asking questions at an interview is your chance to initiate and set the topic of conversation.  Use this to your advantage, and use it as another chance to promote your skills.